🌍 Burnout Isn’t Just About Work:

Why So Many Millennials in Europe Are Struggling (And What Actually Helps)

By Theodora [Last Name], Health Psychologist & Burnout Specialist in the Netherlands and Greece

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1. So… What Is Burnout, Really?

Burnout isn’t just “being tired.” It’s a long-term stress reaction that builds up when you’ve been pushing yourself for too long without enough support, rest, or meaning in what you do.

It often shows up as:

• Constant exhaustion, no matter how much sleep you get
• A sense of detachment or numbness at work or in relationships
• Feeling like you’re failing or that your efforts never seem enough

If you live and work in Europe, especially as a millennial or expat, these symptoms might feel familiar. Many people here face high expectations—to perform well, be independent, hold it all together, and never ask for help. Sound familiar?

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2. Why Are Millennials in Europe Burning Out?

Millennials grew up with messages like “work hard and you’ll succeed”—but the reality often feels more complicated. In my practice as a psychologist in the Netherlands and Greece, I often see clients who feel like they’re stuck between:

• A desire to do meaningful work and the reality of toxic work environments
• Pressure to “make something of themselves” vs. low job security and rising costs
• Wanting connection, but living far from family or community (especially expats)

Burnout thrives when high demands meet low resources—and unfortunately, that’s the reality for many right now.

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3. Signs You Might Be Burned Out (Not Just Tired)

Here are some common red flags:

✅ You dread work (even if you once liked it)
✅ You feel numb or unmotivated, even outside work
✅ You’re more irritable, anxious, or hopeless than usual
✅ You start avoiding people or responsibilities
✅ You feel like you’ve “lost yourself” or your spark

These signs aren’t about being lazy or dramatic. They’re signals that your system is overloaded and trying to protect you.

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4. Why Burnout Doesn’t Go Away With a Vacation

Taking a break might give you a short reset—but burnout goes deeper. That’s because it’s often rooted in long-standing patterns like:

• People-pleasing and perfectionism
• Feeling like you have to “earn” rest
• Avoiding conflict or saying yes too often
• Growing up in families that praised achievement but ignored emotion

Many of my clients realize that burnout didn’t start with their job—it started with how they learned to cope with stress, perform, and please.

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5. What Actually Helps: The Research-Backed Tools

Recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all, but here’s what research (and experience) shows can help:

🧠 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Identifying unhelpful thought patterns (“I can’t stop or I’ll fail”)
• Learning to set boundaries and manage energy
• Reconnecting with personal values—not just productivity

🧘 Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Focusing on what really matters to you (not just what looks good on paper)
• Building psychological flexibility to face challenges without shutting down

🏢 Work & System-Level Changes

• Reducing unrealistic workloads and toxic expectations
• Building environments that allow rest, recognition, and belonging
• In Europe, some companies are slowly starting to embrace this—but many aren’t there yet

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6. How Therapy Supports Burnout Recovery

Therapy helps you:

• Untangle your beliefs around work, worth, and boundaries
• Process difficult emotions and patterns from the past
• Get back in touch with you—not just the version of you who copes or performs

As a psychologist who works across Europe, I offer therapy that goes beyond surface-level stress tips. Together, we’ll look at what’s underneath burnout, and what it takes to heal—not just “function again.”

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7. Final Thought: You’re Not Lazy. You’re Exhausted.

Burnout doesn’t mean you’re weak—it means you’ve been strong for too long without enough support. Healing starts when you stop blaming yourself, and start getting curious about what your burnout is trying to tell you.

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📍 Based in the Netherlands and Greece | Online therapy available for EU residents

💡 Feeling stuck and don’t know where to start?
Let’s chat. I offer a free 15-minute intro call where we can talk about what’s been weighing you down and explore how I can support you. It’s a no-pressure space to figure out if therapy feels right for you.

Click here to book a free 15-min intro call.
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